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1 killed as rocket hits Tripoli commercial area

Mohamed al-Nagem Wednesday, May 21, 2014

One person was killed and at least four others were injured when a rocket struck a commercial area in Libyan capital Tripoli late Tuesday night

TRIPOLI – One person was killed and at least four others were injured when a rocket struck a commercial area in Libyan capital Tripoli late Tuesday night, eyewitnesses said.

The rocket set caused a fire that spread into several shops in the southeastern Sidra district, where eyewitnesses say it might have been fired from the southwest.

Eyewitnesses also said the rocket might have aimed at - but missed - a militia camp located near the area.

Sounds of gunfire and explosions were heard in many areas across Tripoli on Tuesday night, as key army generals announced support for renegade commander Khalifa Haftar who has unleashed an offensive against militias in the restive eastern Benghazi city since Friday.

The fighting in Benghazi, which flared up on Friday, has left 75 people dead and 141 injured.

On Sunday, militants said to be loyal to Haftar attacked parliament headquarters in capital Tripoli and kidnapped several lawmakers.

Libyan authorities have struggled to restore law and order since Gaddafi's ouster and death in 2011 amid the continued refusal of armed militias – which helped overthrow the late leader – to give up their weapons.